The flow of river water forms an enormous storage of energy. And should therefore be taken very seriously as a source of renewable energy. But how do you get that energy out?

In recent years a number of attempts have been made, but a bottleneck always turned out to be the speed of the water flow. Thanks to an innovative technology, developed by William Pieneman of Dolphin Tail Energy Solutions from Schoorl, this is no longer the case. The sensational, almost frictionless drive, is called the ‘Dolphin Tail’. Because the local circumstances are mostly different, the complete system can be delivered ‘rivermade’. Despite different speeds of the water, a current can almost always be converted into energy.

The ‘Dolphin Tail’ consists of a left and right rotating part. This creates optimum energy efficiency to be obtained out of the water. The positioning of the system can be adjusted to the river and can, for example, be placed in front of a bridge pillar or in special by-passes. Anchoring the console, along which the blade mechanism itself can move up and down, can take place in various ways. The diameter, size and shape of the blades can also be adjusted. A floating pontoon is attached to the bridge pillar. Here, the energy can be drained and for example be stored in an expansion tank.

Due to the suction, which is caused by the position of the complete system, the water sinks and the power becomes optimal. Because the water is separated by the bridge pillar in two directions (left and right), the ‘Dolphin Tail’ divides the flow in two rotating surfaces. This creates an enormous compaction of the water and results above the water surface in an extra power consumption.

For decades, William Pieneman has been intensively occupied with everything that had to do with drive and pump technology. Many technical improvements and new designs have sprouted from his brain. In recent years he has concentrated intensively on converting flow in rivers to renewable energy. The result of his efforts is the innovative ‘Dolphin Tail’ with a specially designed maintenance free bearing system, a unique system that can be deployed worldwide to his opinion. Also in areas where energy is still a scarce product.

An important advantage of this system is that it leaves no ecological footprint. Ships do not suffer any hindrance, there is no visible pollution and it is extremely fish-and environmentally friendly.

Pieneman: “With this project, we have now entered a phase where tests with a prototype can be carried out to get an actual picture of the limitless energy-generating potential of the system. With, of course, the corresponding numerical results. For us, generating energy in rivers is no longer a challenge, but much more a near reality. Just as it was the case some years ago in wind energy, the generation of sustainable flow energy is still in its infancy. And we still lack the proper equipment in order to calculate the final energy output, but here too we are working hard at international level. Flow energy from rivers makes the global energy supply cleaner and, unlike wind power, solar energy and tidal energy, it generates renewable energy 24/7. In addition, in the context of the current energy transition, we are becoming less dependent on energy sources that are too heavily taxing the climate and have major adverse effects on the environment.”

For the construction and composition of all components of the prototype, Dolphin Tail Energy Solutions is currently eagerly looking for parties who want to assist and advise with their specific knowledge to further optimize the concept. With the ultimate aim to jointly take the ‘Dolphin Tail’ into production and put it on the market worldwide. All conceivable technical drawings are ready to build the prototype.